Acting Attorney General embraces YMCA’s training initiative

Acting Attorney General, John J. Hoffman embraced the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance’s initiative to better protect children by offering child sexual abuse prevention training, and announced that all Department of Law and Public Safety employees will receive mandatory child sexual abuse identification and prevention training as part of a proactive approach to eradicating this crime in the state.

“As law enforcement and as parents, we owe it to our children to expose the perpetrators who commit these hideous crimes and bring them to justice,” Acting Attorney General Hoffman said. “Law enforcement will continue to crack down on this vicious crime. Yet, it is important to remember that it is everyone’s responsibility, be it teachers, friends, relatives or neighbors, to recognize the signs of abuse and report it to the proper authorities. That is why our Department will participate in this mandatory training.”

The Hunterdon County YMCA, as part of the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance, has joined forces with Darkness to Light, a nationally recognized nonprofit organization and creator of the award-winning Stewards of Children child sexual abuse prevention curriculum. The partnership aims to educate adults in the community on how to recognize, react responsibly to, and prevent child sexual abuse. According to experts, one in 10 children—or 400,000 each year—will experience child sexual abuse before their 18th birthday.

“This is an unprecedented state-wide investment in the prevention of child sexual abuse,” said Jolie Logan, President and CEO of Darkness to Light. “Many adults do not know how to recognize signs of sexual abuse, and most do not know what to do if sexual abuse is discovered. The New Jersey Attorney General’s office is empowering adults to protect children, and there is no greater gift than providing safe communities for children to grow up healthy and whole.”

The Hunterdon County YMCA, comprised of the Deer Path Family Branch, Round Valley Branch, Round Valley Child Learning Center, Clinton and Milford preschools and 17 school-age child care sites around the county, offers Stewards of Children child sexual abuse prevention training to adults in the community. In-person, facilitator-led trainings are open to the public. Local businesses and organizations, large or small, are encouraged to participate. The Hunterdon County YMCA will provide an instructor and course materials free of charge at your location or ours. Free online training is also available for New Jersey residents through April 23. Continuing education credits for professionals in various fields can be obtained through this training.

“Social Responsibility and Youth Development are key areas of focus for the Y. We are committed to developing community-based solutions that unite people to participate in and work for positive social change,” said Bruce Black, President and CEO of the Hunterdon County YMCA. “By partnering with Darkness to Light, we will educate and empower adults to protect children from sexual abuse.”

The evidence-based Stewards of Children program is designed to increase knowledge, improve attitudes and change child protective behaviors. The training covers a five-step action plan.

“As adults, we need to take responsibility and protect the children in our community. Child sexual abuse is a silent epidemic that crosses every socioeconomic boundary and does not discriminate,” said Mr. Black. “Through the Stewards of Children training, we hope to mobilize adults to take action, prevent child sexual abuse, and make a difference, which will result in happier, healthier children and a stronger community.”

Research has shown that five percent is the critical point for positive change in the community; therefore, the NJ YMCA State Alliance has a goal of training 83,000 adults statewide by 2017. The goal for Hunterdon County is 4,500. The Ys will work with local community partners including schools, volunteer groups and local government to meet the goal and help facilitate change.

“The YMCA and New Jersey YMCA State Alliance continue to be incredible partners in the fight against child sexual abuse. Their commitment to protect children in YMCA programs, facilities and in the community should serve as an inspiration to all youth serving organizations across the country,” said Jolie Logan, President and CEO of Darkness to Light.
For more information about the free Stewards of Children online training, or to schedule in-person training for a company or organization, contact Lu Ann Aversa at 908-483-4327.